I'll try to answer all of your questions:

First-- Growing basil using a Prepara power plant is actually your best choice because this system is most suitable for growing herbs. In fact, it is regarded as a modern herb pot that can substantially increase the growing speed of herbs such as basil with less work.

Second-- It is always safe to follow booklet instructions so you don't have to risk all your efforts. Although you are right, I have also read some reviews that it automatically dispenses nutrient to your plants so you won't have to worry about overwatering nor maintaining your plants more often, but I think it won't hurt if you follow what's written in the manual just to be safe...

Third-- You have two options here: first, you can go ahead and strain it and kill the bacteria with hydrogen peroxide, but the catch is, you may kill both the helpful and harmful organisms, thus, making it less effective as a nutrient; second, you can prevent the clogging by frequently checking on your system and cleaning it regularly.

Keep us posted :)

So, I unearthed one of these relics upon emptying a storage unit into my new place, unopened and yet to be explored (merry christmas circa 2009??). It's the mini version, and the food it came packaged with was crystalized and questionable. I replaced the food with basic hydroponic liquid food, prepped the unit, planning to attempt some Fox Cherry tomatoes to break it in. Expectations are low due to mixed reviews I have read but the unit seems well made, it lacks a timer as noted above, my system did not come with much of a manual to speak of so I am dusting for forum fossils on these Power Plants. Has anyone on here tried these in the past? Anyone still have one in rotation? I guess my next step is finding a timer that can handle several cycles a day, if it could also host a second device (my light, already in place 16/8) with its own cycle that would be sweet, I believe the main purpose in cycling this device is to not overheat its pump? Another draw back seems to be the narrow slit the plants emerg from... it's a solid piece that makes mid growth cycle disassembly pretty precarious to the plant which in turn makes it hard to clean when growing. I am thinking of employing the dremel to allow this top to be removed in two long horizontal pieces. .